Our Athletes four year old bay is hoping that some of his seven time graded champion sire Hardline’s experience will be in full gear here at Belmont on Saturday, and bring home his fourth straight victory since early December.
- Elusive Quality Stakes – Purse $125.000
- Belmont Park – For Four Year Olds and Upward
- Seven furlongs – Turf course
- April 27th, 2019
The inaugural race of this event back in 2015 set the bar as far as the record time. A then seven year old by the name of Jamfest ( Jkk Racing Stables ) would finish at the line in 1:19.63, just five one hundreds off the track record. The 12 time Graded Stakes winner also has the honor of winning back to back Gr. III Eddie D Stakes ( 14, 15) Gr. III Daytona Stakes ( 14, 15 ) and the prestigious Gr. I BC Turf Sprint ( 14, 15 ) as well. As in his career, he posted 100+ SRF speed figures in eleven of his sixty three races. Quite an accomplishment. So who could follow in those illustrious footsteps? Lets take a look at this seasons combatants;
1.Ask To See Spot ( Mfm Stables ) Jockey Hernandez Be – After four straight wins over the sod, his trainer made the switch to the main track to attack two non graded stakes, placing third and second. Gets back to the producing turf here, and a nice breezing work of 1:10 and three on the fourteenth shows he is ready. Has won fifty percent of his races, a top calculator. Will be arriving late for the photo.
2.No Childe Of Mine ( Our Athletes ) Jockey Cancel E – Has been on a tear winning three straight events leading up to this race. Closed out December winning both an OpClm32 event, then capturing the $100 Janus, both in fast five furlong times. Opened this year going a longer mile event, and closed to tie for the victory with Deep Under It ( Nakamura Stables ). That one is racing north of the border in a higher Claiming event. Need to factor.
3.Kapai Kapow ( Grimley ) Jockey Davis D – Closed out last season with three events over the grass, and she won one and went runner-up in the other two. Opened this year back on the main surface, and opening with a victory in the $100 Broadway for restricted New Yorkers going six. Stretched out in her most recent placing seventh in the Gr. II Inside Information. Back to the turf and drop back in class should work well for her. Only mare in the field with the boys.
4.Wild Fame ( John Henry ) Jockey Luzzi M J – A recent private purchase back in February, his new interest sent him to work in the $100 Thomas Memorial Stakes last month at SUN, but with limited results. Now makes the switch to the grass with having only one try over that surface in his career. Has been winless in his last ten events, even though they have been in against some elite company. May need time to settle in and find his niche. Pass.
5.Corroya ( D J C Racing Stables ) Jockey Alvarado J – All four of this four year old victories have come on the grass, his biggest effort coming in the Gr. III Eddie D Stakes, an event which has some history with this title. Dom has been experimenting with levels and distances since the purchase three starts ago, and may just have a feel for this level after competing higher. Has a bullet work here for three quarters on the nineteenth, and rider is 20% in wins on the turf. Is now the time?
6.The Spaniard ( Big Jd Racings ) Jockey DeCarlo C P – After a victory in the very first ever $60 Chrysaor held at Gulfstream, this black four year old stepped right up into the Gr. III Canadian Turf going a mile, and while everything looked like it was going to be win number two of the year, he would end second, quarter length shy. Did earn a 100 SRF for that event, and that merits consideration. Stronger rider here might have worked in his favor. Upsetter possibilities.
7.Quarter King ( Gdp Inc ) Jockey Bravo J – Has gone to the post three times this season, and after a third place finish in his opener, he has managed to win both a restricted OpClm40 event going six, then captured the Gr. III San Simeon Stakes at six and a half, both on the turf. A Major bullet work over at Parx on the 29th of March saw him flash a 1:09 and one. Was runner-up in last seasons BC Turf Sprint by a neck, and the 101 SRF number is sweet. Top Two.
8.Nowhere Man ( Mb Stables ) Jockey Lezcano J – If there is a stakes race, Mb will be around. Brings this grandson of Skeleton Key to this event with four wins and three shows on the grass in his career. Has been a consistant miler over the turf in his past six starts, and hasn’t raced at this shorter distance since August 2017. Recent work of 1:10 and four breezing here on the 19th shows confidence, and trainer has four strong works in preparation. But is it just a little short? You decide.
Categories: STAKES ARTICLES, Ungraded
